2025 Ford Expedition vs 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2025 Ford Expedition was a testament to the form-over-function design ethos, reminiscent of a modern school bus but with a more attractive aesthetic. Its slab sides and rectilinear silhouette ensured ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room, making it clear that this vehicle was designed for transporting people comfortably. Despite its functional focus, the Expedition featured stylish elements like horseshoe-shaped daytime running lights framing a bold grille, integrated headlights, and off-roading lamps on the Tremor trim. The blacked-out pillars added a wraparound look to the glass, while a distinct character line ran along the profile. The rear showcased a two-tone paint job, thanks to a black tailgate, and introduced a split-gate design for added convenience.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid embraced a sportier design, available exclusively in the Sport design grades in Canada. The GR Sport trim, inspired by Toyota's Gazoo Racing division, featured a more assertive grille, rear diffuser, and red brake calipers visible through 20-inch black alloy wheels. The RAV4's boxy design, with squared-off front and rear ends, gave it a truck-like presence, while gloss black accents adorned the rocker panels, fenders, and bumpers. Inside, the GR Sport trim boasted red stitching on black upholstery and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The RAV4's interior was optimized for storage, with clever features like a shelf over the dashboard and deep door pockets, although it offered slightly less passenger space compared to larger rivals.

The 2025 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. The Tremor trim offered a high-output version with 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Despite its 2,628-kilogram curb weight, the Expedition excelled on highways, providing a comfortable and quiet ride. Its ten-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth shifts, and the multi-link rear suspension handled rough terrain with ease. The Tremor trim, with its increased ground clearance and off-road enhancements, performed admirably on challenging courses, although its size limited its hardcore off-roading capabilities. However, the Expedition's fuel economy was a downside, with ratings of 15.4 L/100 km in the city and 10.7 on the highway.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. Its larger 22.7-kwh battery pack extended the electric range to 80 kilometres. The RAV4's all-wheel-drive system, with a front motor rated at 203 hp and a smaller rear motor, provided quick acceleration in EV mode. The vehicle offered multiple driving modes, including Hybrid and Charge, for optimal efficiency. The RAV4's handling was enhanced by a strengthened chassis and improved suspension, particularly in the GR Sport trim, which featured beefier rear suspension braces and a lower ride height. Despite its 2,040-kilogram weight, the RAV4 delivered a spirited ride without sacrificing comfort.

The 2025 Ford Expedition excelled in towing capacity, with a maximum of 4,350 kilograms, surpassing the Chevrolet Tahoe. Its interior offered ample cargo space, with 611 litres behind the third row in the standard model and 1,022 litres in the Expedition Max. Folding down the seats expanded the cargo area significantly. The Expedition's minimalist interior design featured touch-sensitive trackpads and a touchscreen for climate controls, which some users found high-tech but potentially cumbersome.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid maintained its dimensions from the previous generation, optimizing interior space with clever storage solutions. The base SE trim included power-adjustable and heated front seats, while higher trims featured SofTex upholstery and ventilated seats. The RAV4's interior offered 960 millimetres of rear legroom, accommodating four passengers comfortably. The cargo area provided 951 litres of space, expandable to 1,798 litres with the rear seats folded down. The RAV4's interior was well-equipped with storage shelves and deep door pockets, although it fell short of larger models in terms of passenger space.

The 2025 Ford Expedition boasted a groundbreaking 24-inch driver information display, offering features like Google Maps projection and customizable widgets. The 13.2-inch touchscreen, powered by a Google-based operating system, provided access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play store. However, the Ford Connectivity Package was necessary for full functionality, requiring a subscription after the first year.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen system, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen available on top trims. The touchscreen offered customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to settings. Toyota's new operating system, Arene, improved responsiveness and loading times. The RAV4 also included a subscription-based Voice Assistant and the ability to locate chargers along routes.

The 2025 Ford Expedition came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features like a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alerts were also standard. BlueCruise 1.4, a hands-free driving technology, was available on all trims, requiring a subscription after a 90-day trial.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, offering a wider view for cameras and a broader detection range for radar. Standard driver assistance systems included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The RAV4's safety enhancements aimed to improve responsiveness and detection, contributing to its strong safety record.